Manufacturing Trends Global Survey Reveals Rising Pressure on Manufacturing: AI Emerges as Key Growth Driver

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A new industry survey highlights growing pressure on manufacturing companies as customer expectations for quality, speed, and transparency continue to rise. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the central growth engine, with agility and digital workflows set to shape the future of the sector.

Manufacturers in both the United States and Europe are facing increasing demands from their customers, according to a recent survey conducted by manufacturing platform Xometry in August. Hundreds of executives from across the industrial sector participated, pointing to three key trends: rising expectations for product quality, shorter delivery times, and transparent supply chains.

The report underscores a major shift: artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the central driver of innovation and productivity. “Manufacturers are under intense pressure to do more with less,” said Randy Altschuler, CEO of Xometry. “Costs are rising while global disruptions persist, and companies must adapt quickly.”

AI Delivers Measurable Business Impact

The study reveals that 82% of surveyed managers view AI as a decisive tool for the manufacturing industry, with half of them already reporting significant business impact from its deployment.

In production, AI is increasingly used for quoting, planning, and quality assurance. Automated design-for-manufacturing (DFM) checks help engineers detect errors early and reduce development times. By automating repetitive tasks such as price comparisons or the scheduling of standardized processes, AI frees up engineering teams to focus on innovation and technical optimization.

Moreover, AI adoption is expanding into supply chain management, procurement, and quality control—areas that will determine the sector’s ability to remain competitive and innovative in the future.

Agility Through Digital Workflows

Another key trend identified in the report is agility. Three-quarters of respondents plan to relocate production sites, with robust digital workflows seen as essential for enabling this shift. By integrating such systems and strengthening supply networks, manufacturers can reduce costs and accelerate operations.

The report suggests that leading companies are proactively aligning their systems for speed, resilience, and adaptability—key capabilities in a volatile global environment.

Pricing strategies are also evolving. Traditional rigid formulas are increasingly being replaced by market-oriented approaches. To achieve this, companies are forming strategic partnerships and diversifying their supplier base across multiple regions.

Platforms like Xometry exemplify this transformation by digitizing production orders end-to-end. Customers can connect with manufacturers at the click of a button, while AI-based processes match materials, technologies, and capacities in real time, streamlining the entire value chain.